Light can noninvasively penetrate through transparent tissue to image cellular structures and processes and produce highly localized perturbations. For example, a focused pulse of laser light can accurately induce localized sub-cellular damage to tackle a range of questions in biology. In neuroscience, laser ablation can be used to kill cells (i.e., neurons and glia) by aiming at the nucleus or to sever neurites (i.e., axotomy and dendrotomy) by aiming at a specific structure, allowing the study of neuronal function and regeneration in vivo or in vitro. Imaging and labeling modalities with diverse capabilities allow observation of neuroanatomy and physiology across a wide range of sizes and time scales.

This Methods Collection will gather articles that describe approaches and methods that use microscopy and optical techniques to dissect neurons in vivo or to observe the consequential regeneration. We expect articles and videos that describe a range of practical aspects of these approaches. Among the possible topics are techniques for animal immobilization and mounting, the integration of microscopy techniques such as confocal and light sheet imaging, and the integration and use of various lasers for microsurgery. We also anticipate articles focusing on reimaging and quantifying regeneration and on setups that facilitate the longitudinal recording of regenerating neurons.